Top signees Greg Robinson, Christian Westerman wait their turn

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http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/12/top_signees_greg_robinson_chri.html

Top signees Greg Robinson, Christian Westerman wait their turn after season of learning at Auburn
Published: Sunday, December 25, 2011, 8:02 AM     Updated: Sunday, December 25, 2011, 8:02 AM
 By Charles Goldberg
Greg Robinson: His turn comes next season at Auburn (Birmingham News / Greg Robinson)
AUBURN, Alabama -- Two of the most high-profile members of Auburn's 2011 signing class will wrap up bowl practice this week, then watch their teammates play in the Chick-fil-A Bowl Saturday just like a lot of other football fans who never played a down this season. 


Offensive linemen Greg Robinson and Christian Westerman received an education in patience and blocking during what became their redshirt seasons. They say they're better for it, although sitting out wasn't easy.


It was a downright contradiction. 


"It was the best thing for me because I really didn't know the plays. Well, I knew them, but I wasn't quite familiar with them and couldn't play at full speed," Robinson said. "Sitting out and learning the plays were the best thing for me. It was rough because I wanted to play. Everybody wants to." 


Auburn signed four offensive linemen last February. Only Reese Dismukes went from signing day to the football field, starting all 12 games. Robinson, Westerman and the injured Thomas O'Reilly watched, and offensive line coach Jeff Grimes remained committed to his original decision, even though he concluded during the season that Robinson could have played.


Auburn followed a different path in 2007. It had a stocked freshman offensive line, and, after a slow start, threw caution to the wind and started freshmen Lee Ziemba, Ryan Pugh and Chad Ramsey. Three years later, Ziemba and Pugh anchored an offensive line that started a combined 165 games and helped the Tigers win the 2010 national title.


This year's starting offensive line had a combined 15 starts when the season began, but Grimes didn't budge on Robinson and Westerman.



Christian Westerman says he's ready after redshirt season (Birmingham News / Mark Almond)
 Robinson, ranked as high as the No. 2 prep guard in the nation last year and now working at tackle, said his main mission was to get better stopping the pass rush and "getting my hand better." Westerman, ranked as high as the No. 2 prep tackle and now playing guard, said he's worked on "technique, mainly." 


"I like to get off the ball and be physical," he said. "Once I get that technique going, which I think has been getting better every day, I think I'll be pretty dominant." 


Auburn starts two seniors up front in Brandon Moseley and A.J. Greene, and all jobs figure to be up for grabs in the spring. 


Westerman's take on Robinson? 


"He's fun to play next to, for sure," Westerman said. "He's really athletic for as big as he is. He moves like a tight end." 


Robinson's take on Westerman? 


"We try to stay every day after practice and get extra reps," Robinson said. "That extra stuff gives us a head start and helps us stay focused and try to win the starting spot next year." 


Robinson said he wasn't "full speed" when fall practice started, and that figured to be a setback. 


"Now I can play comfortably and do everything full speed," he said. "I feel much better from the transition from then to now." 


All the while, he's waited while others have played. 


"If I'd have thought about it like that, I don't think it would have worked out," he said. " I wouldn't have pushed forward. I focus every day on getting better. It still was a thrill watching my teammates play every Saturday." 


Grimes said Robinson needed the extra time. 


"I think for a while they go through learning the system, trying to figure out what expectations are, let coach yell at you and not get your feelings hurt," Grimes said. "He's really grown up a lot emotionally and mentally, and learned how to play the game, and learned how to work hard all the time. He wants to do well, wants to do right, and I think he's recognized whatever work he does now is setting him for next year." 

[djsimp]

I'm excited bout the future of Auburns OL. The combination of these guys and those comin in? Hell to the
fuckin yaayaahh.

[The Prowler]

Robinson or Christian should've came in at LG after Cooper went down. Slade apparently didn't know the plays that well either...that or he just couldn't block worth a shit. You can always tell someone who to block...you can't just tell someone to block better (ie make grunting noises while you're blocking, or loud screeching noises, whatever helps you block gooder).

[AUTiger1]

Robinson or Christian should've came in at LG after Cooper went down. Slade apparently didn't know the plays that well either...that or he just couldn't block worth a shit. You can always tell someone who to block...you can't just tell someone to block better (ie make grunting noises while you're blocking, or loud screeching noises, whatever helps you block gooder).

I read on the bunker from one of the supposed insiders that Grimes really wanted them both to redshirt and said something about looking forward to coaching them for several years to come.